WEST BOUNTIFUL -- After years of litigation and environmental studies, the Legacy Parkway is finally on the verge of construction. "We're all set to go," said John Thomas, Legacy Parkway project manager, at Tuesday's West Bountiful City Council meeting. "We have the contractors in line and we will begin in two months."

Unlike similar roadway projects, the Legacy Parkway will be completed in three segments.

The first segment was awarded to Ames and Wadsworth (A & W) Highway Contractors. This segment will include the I-215 to 500 South in Woods Cross.

Segment two, from 500 South to Glovers Lane has been awarded to Ames Construction, while the third segment from Glovers Lane to the tie-in with I-15, U.S. 89 and Park Lane will be under the responsibility of Clyde Geneva Constructors.

"We wanted to make sure we were in a situation where we could have the three segments of the parkway being worked on at the same time," Thomas said. "People have waited a long time for this parkway and we felt it was important to do whatever we could to make the construction aspect to go as fast as possible."

The Utah Department of Transportation expects to have the parkway completed by late 2008.

Another aspect of the Legacy Parkway revisited during Tuesday's meeting was the style of its construction.

"This construction of Legacy is the first contemporary parkway in the nation," Thomas said. "What that means is it will include asphalt created to reduce noise, additional landscape, special trail systems that will be accessible for people on bikes, walking and even those with disabilities."

Nile Easton, spokesperson for UDOT said Legacy Parkway has already been designated as a scenic byway by the state.

"There has been a lot of work to make this parkway not just helpful in reducing congestion, but also as a major asset to the area."

Wendell Wild, West Bountiful City Administrator, had high praise for the approach taken with the Legacy Parkway project.

"We are very pleased with the work that has been done so far," Wild said. "There has been great thought concerning the parkway not just moving traffic, but being something that will be a boost to our community."

"It will be wonderful that people will be able to drive on the parkway and have the view of the Great Salt Lake and the nature surrounding it," Wild said. "But as it has been brought out already, the parkway will be enjoyed by people in their cars and those utilizing the trail system."

"Now that we have all the litigation behind us, we're excited to do the construction," Easton said. "Building the roadway is what we do best and now we're able to do just that."

sschulte@davisclipper.com